Do you whistle while you work?

There is a man who works long, hard hours at a car wash. On a 20 degree day in upstate New York, his clothes are soaked from rinsing clean one car after another.  This is his job; what he does in order to support himself and his family. I sit in a warm car taking careful note of the sacrifices that he is making. He does not seem to mind that he is wet and cold. Instead, he is whistling as he hoses down my vehicle. I smile in amazement. I experience him in that moment as content in what he is doing, regardless of the amount of his paycheck or the harsh conditions within which he works. He inspires me to appreciate what I have, to make the most of a situation, and to find the joy in living.

Do you whistle while you work?

Freedom from the Chains of Obligations

Do you ever feel chained to your obligations? Obligations could be either emotional, as in your need to attend your children's school events, or financial, as in paying your mortgage or car loan. When you feel obligated, you can become resentful, particularly if your obligations prevent you from enjoying life.  In other words, you cannot take a day off from work, as you would feel guilty (emotional) in letting your boss down or you will not get paid (financial). These feelings are associated with sacrifice. It is the perceived need to sacrifice one's time and interests to meet the needs or desires of others. Life balance is being able to meet your needs, while also being attentive to the needs of those that you love. You can give more to others only when you have given to yourself. When chained to obligations, one is at risk for forcefully breaking the chains in an abrupt attempt to free their soul. In truth, all that was needed was a gentle balance, as in asking for what you need and giving yourself permission to not only have needs, but the desire to meet them.